The Pie Hole Proposition

Okay, so I've been thinking about food lately. Obviously, right? I practically post like a food blogger lately because it's become so much more of a hobby, especially since I'm staying home with B.

I've given up sugar for months at a time now in the last couple years and really like how that makes me feel. I feel in control and more conscious of what I'm eating. We're not the healthiest of eaters (despite my vegetarianism which does not mean I'm vegan, btw!) but we're not terrible either. We eat a mix of whole foods and some processed foods as well. I was thinking today that since I finally feel like I have this whole yeast and rising thing down in breadmaking that I would stop buying loaves at the store. I just love homemade bread and the store bought stuff just doesn't really compare. Then it got me thinking about other things I've been eating that I could probably consider modifying or making myself rather than buying ready-made.

A friend of mine has been going strong for 2 years on a plant-based diet and dropped all of the heart and blood pressure meds he was taking and lost tons of weight. While I'm not quite ready to go entirely plant-based as I couldn't possibly give up cheese at age 29 with perfect health otherwise, I would like to eat less of the fats, oils, and cheeses and more veggies, fruits, and grains. I just plain don't know how to do that.

Because y'all, I love cheese so. freaking. much. And ice cream. Oh, ice cream. Life is sort of about the indulgences every now and again, I think. And since life's far too short, I don't want to spend my whole life worried about everything I consume either. My kid will be given money to buy from the ice cream truck. And I will not stop eating Magnum ice cream bars or Snickers. But I'd like to make some changes.

What about you all? Ever attempted a plant-based diet yourself or given up certain foods just because you wanted to live healthier? I'm curious.

p.s. From the last post, I just want to add that I am not against attachment parenting and actually follow some of the practices myself. But I just wanted to reiterate that I wish all mothers could encourage one another. Plain and simple. It's a hard enough job as it is without feeling like you're always behind the curve.

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Chocolate Cake Nightmares

So you all know that I gave up chocolate (and all sweets) until June 1st. It's been 21 days.

Not for lent. Not really for losing weight. Mostly because I wanted to see if I could do it. I like challenges. I read a blog of a woman who tried this challenge because she felt sugar gave her headaches and wanted to see if omitting sweets from her diet would curb the issue. I thought about how I've never given myself an eating challenge before. I've never really dieted, either. Lucky for me, my parents have some pretty great genes that don't require drastic measures to keep things on the lower end of the scale. It doesn't mean I'm toned, though, so don't go thinking I have some crazy Baywatch body. By a smaller body, I meant just about everything is smaller, even if I wish the ratio wasn't always so even. I also thought this challenge would be good timing because I needed to control something (yes, a flaw), and I didn't want to resort to being an emotional eater. It gave me something to plan, fix, design, control.

Don't get me wrong... I have changed my eating habits in the past, but haven't really forced myself to give anything up before cold turkey (except being pregnant and willfully denying harmful things like Diet Coke-- which was hard, very hard). When I was in college, I remember eating super healthy. I'd workout 1-2 hours a day, eat cottage cheese, a slice of toast, and broccoli for lunch. I had a great body, but my genetics paired with my young age also had a little something to do with things.

But now here we are. Age 28. I'm 21 days in and I am seriously having issues. I don't have issues during the day, but at night, I actually dream have nightmares about chocolate cake and other sweets! Like 3-4 dreams now, no joke. I dream that I broke the challenge and to me, breaking any commitment is a sign of cowardice. I am not a quitter. I'm stubborn as can be (thank goodness, otherwise losing Andrew would have sent me into celibacy) and refuse a life of passiveness and defeat. So this chocolate cake in my subconscious needs to get the heck out!

During the day, however, I'm great. Let me paint the picture of our kitchen pantry for you all (you hoped for a photo? Not. a. chance!):
top rack: oatmeal, dried cherries, cereals, Cheezits (shh), granola bars
2nd rack: boxed meals, pasta, other meal items
3rd rack: canned goods, soups
bottom rack: junk food, sweets, candy, chocolate {basically my husband's nemesis}

I open the pantry for a snack and this is what happens in my brain:
1. Eyes immediately focus on bottom rack. Scans junk food for something enticing.
2. Says, "Crap, I'm doing that stupid challenge."
3. Eyes go back to the top. I find the Cheezits. Grab the Cheezits. Open the Cheezits. Pour some in a bowl (you know, junk food portion control. hahaha).
4. Eat.

The only thing that makes this picture better than say, a year ago, is that I'm not pairing it with a Diet Coke and a piece of chocolate (you know, the salty/sweet combo). And the only thing that makes this picture better than 21 days ago is that I'm not pairing it with that piece of chocolate. Cheezits, solo.

And you know what? Even though I didn't solely take on this challenge to lose baby weight, I did have a few LBs to lose. Particularly in the thigh and buttocks regions. Those babies are slimming down and it's a good thing. Does it make me feel any better about having lost Andrew? Not even a portion of a percent. I thought it would, but it didn't. Does it make me feel pretty dang good about fitting into that pair of holey jeans I promised my husband I'd leave in New Zealand on our honeymoon {but obviously never did} 32 months ago? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Hopefully my subconscious will take on that chocolate cake demon in my dreams. What do you think would be a good weapon? Bikini?

Speaking of bikini... I was flipping channels and saw a quote from Kim Kardashian pop up on one of those Hollywood gossip shows. Aside from my complete confusion as to why these girls are rich from doing nothing, I had to post her pearl of wisdom related to eating right. I can't quote it perfectly, but something like, "Whenever I think about eating bad (using correct grammar would be too much for her IMO), I think, bikini, bikini, bikini!"

What a gem she is. And what priorities she has in life. Makes a momma proud, doesn't it?